The Major Performers of English Folk Music
An independent web site with information, album reviews, original photographs and links.
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These were a four piece family group from Hull, Yorkshire. Their first records were in 1965. They split up in 1968, but re-formed in 1972 with Martin Carthy.
Highly respected singer and player of the acoustic guitar. Played in a duo with Dave Swarbrick in the 1960's. This probably ended due to Swarbrick joining Fairport Convention. Carthy joined the other big folk-rock band, Steeleye Span in 1970 in time for the recording of their second album. He played a prominent role but didn't stay long. In 1972 he joined the Watersons and married Norma Waterson. He re-joined Steeleye Span briefly in 1978. Later was a member of the pioneering Brass Monkey, and after that continued his folk career in partnerships with Norma Waterson and occasionally Dave Swarbrick.
The daughter of Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson. A good singer showing influence from both, but also a brilliant fiddle player. One of the newer generation of folk artists bordering on pop culture.
Half folk, half pure pop and half new-wave/punk. That makes them a band and half and they are! Great original songs and instrumentation. Great combination of instruments, melodeon, fiddle, electric bass, drums.
Mature instrumental ceili band. A multiplicity of diverse instruments. Many members of the band are famous in their own right. The band seems to be in semi-retirement playing only a few special gigs each year.
From Dorset. They play early English instrumental music using early traditional instruments. Some songs and some spoken word works.
www.mellstockband.com A good web site with some interesting links.
Legendary pioneering band of the 1980's. Influenced many who came later. They were born out of a collaboration between Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick. They formed Brass Monkey together with Martin Brinsford (Old Swan Band and English Country Dance Band) and two classical brass players. There are a couple of CDs available
An excellent live band surely on their way to becoming one of the major performers
of English music, and worthy of a mention on this page. One of the few all-instrumental
bands. Performing dance music based on the roots of ceili music of the British
Isles, but with creativity improvisation and an occasional hint of new-age culture.
Fiddle, melodeon, acoustic guitar and drums. From Yorkshire, but make regular
appearances at festivals throughout England.
Click the icon for more pictures of Bedlam.
Click for sound clip. English morris tune. MP3 file. Approx 1 minute download
and playing time.
"Fiddle driven celtadelic roots-rock fusion from Wales". www.nativespirit.demon.co.uk
Highly respected player of the button accordian and concertina for many years. From the North East. Has collaborated with many eminent folk musicians over the years and been a member of several bands including for a short time Steeleye Span and later Brass Monkey.
Northumbrian Small Pipes player from the North East. Plays traditional tunes for the instrument from her local area, together with some of her own compositions. Usually performs with the Kathryn Tickell Band. Also plays fiddle.
A lovely singer with a dark warm voice. Not known as a songwriter. Performs traditional songs and modern compositions in a pure traditional singing style. Believed by some to be "One of the finest solo singers and interpreters of traditional and contemporary folk music alive today". June has collaborated with The Oyster Band on an excellent CD "Freedom and Rain", and with Maddy Prior as "Silly Sisters".
Acoustic Music Services - The official home pages of many Englissh folk artists.
The Bee's Knees - "A music information archive" featuring many English folk artists.
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The English Music title text and flag logo are copyright S. J. Farthing, 2002.